Manifolding packet



June 7, 1938.

H. STEVENS Original Filed Feb. 27, 1928 INVENTOR;

Aauu A TTORN E YS.

Patented June 7, 1938 PATENT OFFICE MANIFOLDING PACKET Harry Stevens, Oakland, Calii.'., assignor,

mesne assignments, Book Company, Inc., ware y to Pacific Manifolding a corporation of Dela- Application February 27, 1928, Serial'No. 257,169

Renewed December 13, 1937 17 Claim.

This invention relates to manifolding record devices adapted for making a plurality of copies at one inscription, and with respect to its more specific features it relates to a manifolding packet of paper record sheets, as billing and bookkeeping record sheets, suitable for being inscribed by a typewriting machine andadapted for eflicient manifold inscription of a number of record sheets, and permitting flexibility ofzhandling and distribution of the several copies flowing from the inscription operation.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a practical packet of the character referred to, adapted to receive and retain a record sheet which may be independent of other sheets in the packet so as to be removable and replaceable in the packet at will.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simple and efflcient packet of manifolding sheets having a specially constructed leading edge facilitating insertion in the typewriting machine and serving to retain a number of record sheets in the packet.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a compact packet of the character referred to and composed wholly of record and transfer sheets arranged to form a pocket or receptacle for convenient, easy, and quick re.- ception or removal of an independent, relatively stiff record sheet, as for instance a card, as a postal card, the pocket being adapted operatively to retain the card in manifolding relation to the other record sheets of the packet.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in. part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplifled in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a, fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which: I

Fig. l is a diagrammatic perspective view of the packet, partially opened out to disclose interior construction, the thickness of the several strips and sheets employed being somewhat magnified in the interest of clearer disclosure;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the packet, more fully opened than in Fig. 1, and showing the card spaced from, but alongside, the otherrecord sheets of the packet;

Fig. ,3 is a detail showing the assembly of a transfer sheet and two record sheets at the leading edge of the packet;

Fig. 4 diagrammaticallyillustrates the leaves of the packet in assembled osition ready for inscription, with the card in manifolding position in the packet.

Referring now more specifically to the drawing, the embodiment illustrated includes three leaves, sheets or strips of paper in superposed relation to each other, these several strips being indicated by the numerals I, 2, and 3. The sheet or strip I is a record strip of relatively soft paper, suitable for receiving an original inscription and for transferring inscription to an underlying strip, when transfer material isinterposed between the two strips. At the central portion of the strip I is a transverse weakened line 4 which extends completely across the strip I and facilitates separation of the strip I on said line into two leaves. The weakening may be done by perforating the strip I along the line 4. The

strip 2 is a copy record strip similar in kind to the sheet or strip I and similarly weakened along a transverse line 5 extending throughout the width of the strip 2. In the embodiment illustrated the sheet or strip 3 is a transfer strip, being of paper coated with transfer material, as carbon transfer material.

The strips I and 2 are rectangular and of approximately the same size. 3 are assembled in superposed relation to' each other and at one end 6 of the assemblage the three strips are connected to each other, as for instance by the use of suitable adhesive, as paste 1, interposed between the several strips. For this purpose the carbon coat on the transfer strip 3 may be omitted or removed at this point so that eflicient pasting may be accomplished. The pasting of the three strips together stiifens the packet at the ends 6 of the strips, and provides a relatively stiff leading edge of the packet, adapted for ready application in operative rela tion relative to the platen of the typewriting machine. In the present embodiment the transfer strip 3 is shorter than the record strip 2 for the purpose hereinafter explained.

Each of the record strips I and 2 has a weakened line a short distance from its leading edge, these weakening lines being indicated by the numerals 8 and 9, and these weakening lines being in superposed registry with each other in the packet. These weakening lines 9 and 8 are disposed inside the adjacent edge of the transfer strip 3, as will clearly appear from Fig. 2, so

The strips I, 2-' and l that tearing of the pasted area or binding stub 6 along these registering weakening lines 3 and 8 will effect tearing of the transfer strip 3 on a line coincident with the lines 9 and l, and with the result that the strips i, 2 and 3 will be parted from each other and become independent strips, by this single tearing operation. It will be noted, however, that the transfer sheet 3 will not be severed from the binding 6, more especially because it is not provided with a weakened severance line corresponding to the severance lines 8 and 9 in the sheets i and 2, the transfer sheet being unweakened along its attachment with the binding. Also, due to the shorter sheet 3, it will not be gripped when the sheets i and 2 are gripped at their free edges for severance thereof from the binding. In this connection, reference is made to a similar structure disclosed and claimed in applicants copending application Serial No. 463,588, flied June 25, 1930.

A record leaf III is independent of the strips I, 2 and 3, and adapted for free application to and from manifold inscribing position relative to the latter strips. The independent strip i is preferably of relatively stiil' paper, this paper being such, however, as to permit manifold copying therethrough onto an underlying sheet. The leaf Ill may be a card of proper consistency, as for instance a Government postal card.

In use, the packet of strips I, 2 and 3 is folded on the weakened lines 4 and 5, which are in superposed registry, into the relation diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 4, this folding resulting in also folding the intermediate transfer strip 3 on a line Ii coincident with the weakening lines land 5. In the folded condition illustrated in Fig. 4, the end leaves l2, l3 and ll of the three folded strips will form a front set of three leaves, each in superposed manifolding relation to each other, and the attached leaves l5, l6 and I! will form a rear set of three leaves bound into the binding 6. By means of the transverse fold lines 4, and H, the leaves of these two sets are formed from the respective sheets I, 2 and 3. The record leaf I5 in effect forms an extension of record leaf l2, and the binding stub 6 is attached to one edge portion of the leaf l5 which thus forms an auxiliary or stub leaf to which the other leaves are attached. All of the leaves are thus held in a unitary assembly. When the leaves'are folded as shown in Fig. 4 they assume superposed interleaved manifolding relation substantially parallel with each other for reception of the inscriptions. The transfer leaf i1 is an extension of the transfer leaf N, providing a. binding attachment for the latter to the binding stub 6. By folding the strips I and 3 as explained, a pocket or receptacle is formed, and the record card In may be inserted and removed at will from this pocket. In the pocket the card i0 is supported by its lower edge coming in contact with the folded strip adjacent the foldline thereof, so that the depthwise position of the card in the pocket is substantially accurately determined, the lateral position of the card in the pocket being merely a matter of adjusting the card so that its lateral edges register with the lateral edges of the adjacent leaves of the packet.

When in folded condition with the card in the pocket, the outer face of leaf I2 is to receive the original inscription. In order that the inscriptionmay be transferred or copied upon the card, the rear face of the leaf I4 is a carbon coated face as indicated at IS, the front face of the leaf N being free of carbon; that is, clean. Immediately in rear of the card ill will be the leaf l3, and the front face IQ of the leaf i3 will be clean so as not to transfer impression to the rear face of the card l0. But the rear face of the leaf i3 will be a transfer, or carbon coated face, so as to transfer impression to the front face 2! of the leaf IS. The carbon leaf ll will be interposed between the record leaf i6 and the record leaf l5, and the rear face of the transfer leaf I! will be carbon coated so as to transfer impression to the front face of the record leaf i5. In order that inscription may not be transferred to the rear face of the record leaf ii, the front face of the transfer leaf l'l will be clean.

It will now be perceived that when the packet, with the card I 0 disposed in the pocket, is in scribed in a typewriting machine, the original impression will be received upon the front face of the leaf I2, the rear face of this leaf being clean; the inscription will be transferred to the front face of the card ill and so as to leave clean the rear face of the card; the inscription would also be transferred to the front face of the leaf IS, the rear face of which will be left clean, and similarly the rear face of the leaf I5 will be clean, the inscription appearing only upon the front face thereof. Thus the leaf I2 is the original, being entirely free of transfer material, while the leaves l5 and iii are duplicate or copy leaves being also free of transfer material.

A packet constructed as described has great utility in account keeping systems wherein a large number of accounts requires sending out a great many bills. The several record leaves referred to may have suitable printed forms, as illustrated in the drawing. The leaf l2 may serve as the ledger copy; the cardl0, as the copy to be delivered to the customer; the leaf It as the cashier's copy, and the leaf i5 as an extra copy or notice which may be retained in the office and mailed when occasion requires.

At the beginning of the billing operations, the three strip packets may be taken one by one from a pile and gathered, or assembled, with a postal card taken from another pile, the pocket being readily formed by folding the packet on the weakened lines 4 and 5 by the one hand, and the card being readily andquickly inserted in the pocket by the other hand, the operator being assured that the card will bein proper manifolding position when he has merely dropped it into the pocket. In order to facilitate .the introduction of the card in proper position between the leaves, the free end or edge of the transfer leaf l3 extends beyond, or higher than, that of the transfer leaf l4, so that the edge of the card may be placed against the clean face IQ of the leaf i3, which will guide it into manifolding position immediately in rear of the transfer leaf N. Having folded the strips and assembled the card therewith, the packet is introduced in the typewriting machine, the relatively stiff leading stub edge 6' being in advance. After inscription, the card may be, quickly removed for being mailed to the customer and without disturbing the other assembled copies. stiff pasted area along the weakened lines 9 and 8, the record strips i and 2 will be separated from the transfer strip 3, which latter may be discarded; also in the same tearing operation the record strips I and 2 will be separated from each other. Thereupon the strip lv may be By tearing off the relatively divided along the weakened line 4 to obtain separate original and final notice copies. The strip 2 may be separated along the weakened line 5 to obtain the cashier's copy, the transfer leaf l3 being then discarded.

For the purpose of providing means to facilifate severance of the record strips or sheets I and 2 along the weakened severance lines 8 and 9, an arrangement for selectively gripping these sheets to the exclusion of the transfer sheet 3 is provided. In the embodiment shown, this is accomplished by having the outer end of the transfer sheet 3 terminate at a different point from the other sheets. This arrangement provides overlapping parts at the outer ends of the record sheets I and 2 that are unlapped by the transfer sheet 3, thus providing a selective gripping device for'engaging or gripping the ends of the record sheets without at the same time gripping the transfer sheet. In other words, the record and transfer sheets are provided remote from the binding portion thereof with selective overlaps for providing the selective grip. Also, in the embodiment shown, these selectively overlapping parts extend to the lateral edges of the assembly whereby the record strips may be selectively gripped adjacent one lateral edge, thus exerting a tearing pull upon the record sheets and initiating the severance at the ends of the weakened severance lines 8 and 9. By means of this arrangement, the record sheets may be very easily separated from the binding and at the same time separated from the transfer sheet 3.

It will be noted that provision is made for making an original record on leaf l2, and three copies on leaves ll], i6 and i5, at one inscription, the leaf l6 and the card l0 being added to folded strip l to provide the copies. Although, in the embodiment illustrated, the transfer leaf l4 lies between card l0 and leaf l2, it is connected to leaf l5 through the leaf ll, which latter also serves to transfer inscription to leaf l5.

In the embodiment illustrated the free ends of the leaves l0, H and 12 of the front set terminate approximately in line with, or below, the weakening lines 8 and 9, so that the pasted leading or stub edge 6 of the packet projects above said free ends in convenient position for being manipulated by the thumb to open out the packet when desired: When the card I0 is in manifolding position, it tends to give stiffness to the packet as a whole, so that in handling, the leaves of the flexible, soft paper strips l, 2 and 3 are not apt to be torn or rumpled. Furthermore, the card stiffens the other record leaves of the packet to a degree comporting with the stiffness of the pasted leading edge. When the packet is being typed, it will be noted that the card It! forms a relatively hard backing for the original leaf l2, and in this wise serves as a supplementary platen with the result that clearer inscription on the original leaf I2 will be had than if the card were not employed. Yet the card permits transfer of impression therethrough to the underlying record leaves.

While one illustrative preferred embodiment of the invention is herein disclosed in detail, and its mode of operation set forth, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the structural details described, and that modifications in structure and different modes of operation of the illustrative embodiment such as may occur to-those skilled in the art, are comprehended by the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. A manifolding packet wherewith multiple copies may be made at one inscription including,

in combination, three strips of paper in superposed relation to each other and folded on superposed registering lines intermediate their ends to' form front and rear sets of three leaves in superposed manifolding relation to each other, the rear leaves being connected together at their outer ends, the intermediate leaf of each set being a transfer leaf adapted to transfer inscription rearwardly, the front face of the transfer leaf of the front set being clean, the rear leaf of the front set being a transfer leaf clean on its front face, the front and rear leaves of the rear set having registering weakening lines at the inner margin of the connected portions, and an independent,

relatively stiff record card adapted to be disposed between the intermediate and'the rear leaf of the front set.

2. A manifolding packet wherewith multiple copies may be made at one inscription, including, in combination, a record strip of soft, flexible paper folded to provide record leaves in superposed relation to each other, said leaves having printed forms in registry with each other, a transfer leaf between said leaves and adhesively' connected to one leaf, and a card having a printed form and adapted to be interposed between said transfer leaf and one of said record leaves with its form in registry with those of said record leaves, said card being independent of said leaves and removable and insertable therebetween at will.

3. A manifolding packet wherewith multiple copies may be made at one inscription, including, in combination, an original record strip, a copy record strip and a transfer strip, said strips being in superposed manifolding relation to each other, and attached together at one end, said transfer strip intervening between said original and copy strips and having a fold line dividing it intoleaves, said original and copy strips each having a transverse weakened line dividing each strip into leaves, said lines being in superposed registry, and adapting the original and copy strips to be folded as one to provide a pocket whereby, a record card, separate from said strips, is removable and insertable in said pocket, at will, and adapted to lie in said pocket in contact with a transfer face of a leaf of said folded transfer strip, the opposite face of said last mentioned leaf being clean and in contact with the inner face of a leaf of said original strip.

4, A manifolding packet wherewith multiple copies may be made at one inscription, including, in combination, an original record strip, record strip and a transfer strip, said strips being in superposed manifolding relation to each other and provided with attaching means attaching them together at one edge portion thereof, said transfer strip intervening between said original and insertable in said pocket, at will, and adapted to lie in said pocket in contact with a transfer face of a leaf of said folded transfer strip, the opposite face of said last mentioned leaf being clean and in contact with the inner face of a leaf of said original strip, the attaching means for said a copy strips including a marginal fastening device, said original and copy strip each having a transverse, weakened line, close alongside of but inside of said fastening device.

5. A manifold unit comprising a sheet normally folded to, provide two relatively superposed record leaves, a carbon sheet folded to provide two carbon leaves between said record leaves, said carbon sheet being secured along one margin thereof to the adjacent record leaf, and a third record leaf disposed between the carbon leaves.

6. A manifold unit comprising relatively superposed record leaves secured together along contiguous marginal edges thereof, a transfer sheet secured along a margin thereof to one of said record leaves and folded to provide two super- 4 section coated with transfer material only on the posed transfer leaves, and an additional record leaf disposed between the latter leaves, the area of attachment of the transfer leaf being free of transfer material.

. mediate leaf between the first and second leaves,

said first, second and intermediate leaves having binding attachment with each other at one marginal portion thereof, said intermediate leaf having one end section coated with transfer material only on one side, and its, opposite end section coated with transfer material only on the opposite side of the leaf, said intermediate leaf and the second leaf having fold lines whereby the end sections thereof remote from said attachment may be folded to overlie in manifolding relation the sections thereof adjacent said attachment, said second leaf having record receiving surfaces positioned respectively at each side of its fold line, said first leaf also having a fold line in substantial alignment with said first mentioned fold lines so as to fold over with the other leaves, said first leaf having a record receiving surface positioned between its fold line and said binding attachment and being coated with transfer material on its upper face beyond the fold line remote from the binding attachment.

8. A unitary manifolding assembly including, in combination, a first leaf, a second leaf, and an intermediate leaf positioned in interleaved manifolding relation with each other, with the intermediate :leaf between the first and second leaves, said first, second and intermediate leaves having binding attachment with each otherat one marginal portion thereof, said intermediate leaf having one end section coated with transfer material only on one side, and its opposite end opposite side of the leaf, said intermediate leaf and the second leaf having fold lines whereby the end sections thereof remote from said attachment may be folded to overlie in manifolding relation the sections thereof adjacent said attachment, said second leaf having record receiving surfaces positioned respectively at each side of its fold line, said first leaf also having a fold line in substantial alignment with said first mentioned fold lines so as to fold over with the other leaves, and being coated with transfer material on its upper face beyond the fold line remote from the binding attachment, said leaves having weakened severance lines extending from edge to edge adjacent to the attached marginal portion but inside of said attachment, and the intermediate leaf being correspondingly unprovided with any weakened line, and said intermediate leaf havin a marginal portion opposite the binding attachment inwardly offset from the adjacent marginal portion of the record leaves to provide a selective grip formation.

9. A pliable manifolding assembly including, in combination, a sheet having a dividing fold dividing it to form a record leaf and a pliable attached stub supporting leaf normally positioned substantially parallel to the record leaf, said fold having a weakened severance line, and a transfer sheet positioned in superposed manifolding relation with the record area of said record leaf and extending over said severance line and attached to said stub supporting leaf.

10. A pliable manifolding assembly including, in combination, a sheet having a dividing fold dividing it to form a record leaf and a pliable attached stub supporting leaf normally positioned substantially parallel to the record leaf, said fold having a weakened severance line, and atransfer sheet positioned in superposed manifolding relation with the record area of said record leaf and having a fold and an attaching extension therebeyond, said fold being received within said first mentioned sheet fold and said attaching extension being attached to said stub supporting leaf. 11. A pliable manifolding assembly including, in combination, a sheet having a dividing fold dividing it to form a record leaf and a pliable attached stub supporting leaf normally positioned substantially parallel to the record leaf, said fold having a weakened severance line, a transfer sheet positioned in superposed manifolding relation with the record area of said record leaf and having a fold and an attaching extension therebeyond, said fold being received within'said first mentioned sheet fold and said attaching extension being attached to said stub supporting leaf, and a free record leaf received within said first mentioned fold and retained by said stub supporting leaf in superposed manifolding relation with said record leaf and said transfer sheet.

12. A pliable manifolding assembly including, in combination, an original record leaf having attached at one edge thereof a pliable stub supporting leaf normally lying along the back of said original leaf and substantially parallel with the latter, and a transfer sheet positioned in superposed manifolding relation with said record leaf and attached along an edge thereof to said stub J attached by said fold to the first leaf and nor-' mally positioned at the back of the latter, and a transfer sheet positioned in superposed manifolding relation with said original leaf, said transfer sheet having a fold positioned within said first mentioned fold and'attached to said auxiliary leaf intermediate the edge thereof and said fold.

14. A unitary independent pliable manifolding assembly including, in combination, original and copy record leaves relatively superposed and having attachment with each other along adjacent edges, transfer leaves attached together and relatively superposed with each other and with said record leaves and positioned between the latter and being attached thereto byv an adhesive connection along the edge, and a separate record leaf positioned between and in manifolding relation with said transfer leaves, the edges of ad- 15. A manifold unit comprising a sheet normally folded to provide two relatively superposed record leaves, a carbon sheet folded to provide two carbon leaves between said record leaves, said carbon sheet being secured along one margin thereof to the adjacent record leaf, and a third record leaf disposed between the carbon leaves and having attachment at a marginal part thereof to the unit, said first mentioned sheet and third reco'rd leaf having extensions opposite to said attachment positioned outside of the adjacent edge of said carbon sheet, and weakened severance lines in said first mentioned sheet and said third record leaf adjacent to said attachment.

16. A unitary manifolding assembly including, in combination, a first leaf, a second leaf, and an intermediate leaf positioned in interleaved manifolding relation with eachother, with the intermediate leaf between the first and second leaves, said first and second and intermediate leaves having binding attachment with each other at one marginal portion thereof, said intermediate leaf having one end section coated with transfer material only on one side, and its opposite end section coated with transfer materialionly on the opposite sideofthe leaf,

may be folded to overlie in manifolding transfer relation the sections thereof adjacent said attachment, said second leaf being divided by its said fold line into portions adapted to receive inscription.

17. A unitary manifolding assembly including a single, free, independent set of leaves arranged in superposed manifolding relation with each other, at least two of said leaves each having a defined record space for the reception of inscriptions and at least one leaf being carbonized to form a transfer leaf which is positioned in transfer relation between the respective aforementioned record spaces, binding means binding marginal portions of all of said leaves together at a marginal part of the assembly, a part only of said leaves having relatively weak attachment with the marginal binding means whereby they may be readily detached, and the remaining leaf or leaves having stronger attachment withthe binding means, said leaves having a marginal selective detaching formation remote from said binding means whereby the leaf or leaves with the relatively weak attachment may be gripped for selective detachment thereof from the binding means, one of said leaves with a record space having 'a section of its surface remote from said binding means provided with transfer material to form a transfer surface, said last mentioned leafand one or more of the other leaves of the assembly having fold lines providing for. folding of the outer end sections thereof over and into manifolding relation with the sections which are adjacent to said binding means, and to bring said transfer surface into transfer relation with a record surface.

HARRY STEVENS. 

